2WD vs 4WD

Seems like 24mo.

 

I had a 2013 2WD regular cab with nice A/T tires. It was completely useless in the snow. I now have a 4WD one and it’s a great feeling knowing I don’t have to worry about being stuck in nasty Jersey winters. I will say though I liked the way the 2WD drove on the roads better, it was obviously a little lower and felt more zippy. Being higher up and a little heavier the 4WD just kind of moves a little slower. So I’m not hating on 2WD but overall no regrets as I want the freedom to not get stuck when I’m off-roading or in a snow storm. I believe the 3rd gen is all 6 lug now? So you wouldn’t notice much difference anymore in drivability I’m guessing.

 

On here and in my reddit thread I'm seeing over and over "never had an issue with a 2WD/never used the 4WD setting but *I would never get a 2wd again/would never buy a 2wd* " I'm confused how both things seem to be true when the overwhelming concensus I am seeing is "4wd isn't actually necessary WE JUST WANT IT"

 

It's a guy thing. It doesn't have to make sense. Just get the 4x4!

 

I say get 4x4 especially you own a farm. Like many have said it here, it better to have it and not need it then need it and not have it. Also, if you have the extra money for it, go for it. If you even have thoughts of going on snow, dirts, etc, it’s good to have it in case you need it.

 

Unfortunately, my career REQUIRES me to make it to work (public safety). So, I dont get inclement weather days. 2WD wasnt even an option for me. My previous car, a Jeep Compass, I used 4H pretty regularly commuting during the winter. Prior to that, I owned Wranglers-the only downside of those, was they were so light, I spun out even in 4WD a few times. Granted, they were Jeeps, and kinda toys....
I only ever recall using 4L once. I was stuck, with a Jeep club, tried to crawl out, didnt work, got winched out. As this is my DD, I dont see myself doing much more than forest roads, at least for the time being. 4WD for me is insurance I can get to work. Whether I want to go, or not.

As an aside, when I started here, 8 years ago, everyone had Wranglers. It looked like a Jeep lot. Over the years, everyone swapped over to trucks. 4 of us have Tacos

 

Or, run in 2wd until you get stuck, flip the switch and continue until you are really stuck in a place that is now inaccessible .

 

Can you put a FJ case in a 3rd gen? Honestly on my second gen if I did it over I would buy a 2wd and convert it. This way 4wd system is all manual and not reliant on electronics. Instead I bought a 4wd, and am now in the process of downgrading the damn thing..

 

That same thing can be said for the entire SUV market. Folks want a Suburban / Escalade EXT and don't haul more than a coupe people in it. Range Rovers don't go off road. Raptors would rather drag race on pavement.

In the end, most of us could get by in a Yugo.

That said, 4wd has been both a welcome feature and fun. Just driving up some washboard roads, flicking it over to 4Hi makes it less annoying and it can be felt that the driveline appreciates it also. Getting a wheel or two flexed in the air and still moving forward is fun. Climbing some gnarly grades is fun. Not fighting to get into the garage after a heavy snow is just a pleasure, esp after having to reverse in with our previous FWD cars.

 

There’s is a thread for converting 2wd to 4wd (I can’t remember where at the moment). But I remember a few want to convert their 3rd gen over to 4wd and it’s not doable. Maybe try to find a same vehicle at the junk yard as a donor vehicle? Even if that work, it won’t be cheap. That is a big if. It’s way cheaper to get 4wd in the beginning if it’s a 3rd gen. Or, sell your current 3rd gen 2wd and get a 4wd.

 

Depends on where you live. Out here in the South West you can fly across the desert/dunes with your 2WD and pretend you are racing the Baja 1000. I've owned many trucks (3 of them 4WD) and the most fun I have off road is when they are in 2wd going faster. I actually hate driving at speed in 4wd/awd. The vehicle doesn't want to pivot or turn as easily in the dirt. Also more weight and crap to break upfront with 4wd. Still, when you need to get to some place or it's snowing having , 4WD is nice just in case.

this was my last truck I sold (had 4WD but only used it to get unstuck or in snow):

 

2wd pickups are kinda useless up here (Canada) in the winter. But it’s just to get moving on slick ice or getting through some serious snow accumulation. Don’t use that shit on the highway. Your just going further into the ditch.

My wife’s AWD rav kicks any truck’s ass I’ve ever had in the winter. That thing with blizzaks is unreal on slick surfaces.

 

Not entirely. I've used 4x4 on the highway many times. Granted it takes a lot for me to use 4x4, but nevertheless if you know how to handle the conditions it won't be an issue.

And I have to agree, winter tires take anything to the next level. I went from a RWD Mustang to a 4x4 with winter tires and it was an amazing difference in traction and drivability even without being in 4x4!

 

OP you'll never miss 4 wheel drive...until you need it.

 

Depends on who it's for. My wife enjoys driving a truck but will never have any use for 4x4 so she drives our 2WD Longbed Tacoma. I also prefer a truck and have a Nissan Titan XD 4x4, that 4 wheel drive came in very handy during the Texas snowpocalypse earlier this year, it might be the only time I need it but it was worth having it!

I'd say get a 4x4 SR5, you can probably swing that for similar price to the OR.

 

4x4...if you need it it's there, otherwise you are in two wheel drive.

 

I had a 2006 Colorado, single cab 4x4 for 5 years (bought in 2007). Traded in late 2012 for my single cab 2WD Tacoma. Both 4 banger engines.

The Colorado even in 4x4 was still an adventure. Never had an issue in 9 years with the Tacoma.

I live in MA, and drove it even in snowstorms.

 

My rogue hasn't really suited me, I have to rent a truck constantly. It's just what I could afford when I got it.

The farm work I need it for is primarily hauling wood and brush around, pulling my horse to the vet and to competitions. A tacoma can do it all.

 

For a good portion of the winter at my last house you couldn't get out of the driveway.

Yeah a 2wd works on snowy roads, but the number of times I've been able to avoid an accident because I was able to get moving in 4wd when I'd have been spinning a wheel or crawling in 2wd is nonzero.

So yeah for most people you can get by with 2wd, but 4wd is so much better than dicking around with traction aids, barely being able to accelerate, parking at the bottom of a driveway. That the difference between want and need is pretty invisible.

 

If you ever plan on taking it on vacation to the mountains and doing any trails that have any kind of elevation change or steep hills you'll likely want 4 LOW mainly for the gear ratio, around here I can't hardly get up any trails in 2wd or 4HI without bogging down and killing the thing....that said mine is a manual, autos are more forgiving when it comes to the lack of torque. Without snow or mud, I could probably get by on a lot of trails in 2wd with a gear change. 2wd, 5.29s and a locker would probably work for the majority of the stuff I drive so long as it's dry.